Keb' Mo' Reflects On The Journey To His 2018 GRAMMY Nomination

The Los Angeles-based delta blues musician reflects on the multiyear journey and creative team that helped him earn a 60th GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album

Brian Haack

GRAMMYs

Jan 24, 2018 - 4:42 pm

"I don't think about winning, I stop at the nomination," says GRAMMY-winning delta blues musician Keb' Mo' of his latest GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album. "I figure, go with the nomination and celebrate that, go to the GRAMMYs, smile … and if something happens, then … OK."

Jan 24, 2018 – 4:41 pm

Keb' Mo' Reflects On 11th GRAMMY Nomination

A Los Angeles native with three career GRAMMY wins already to his name, Keb' Mo's latest album TajMo represents a multiyear journey from the first inkling of the songs that would become a part of the record to its ultimate realization and release in early 2017.

Written and recorded in close collaboration with fellow GRAMMY winner Taj Mahal, who Keb' Mo' refers to as his "biggest mentor," the record represents an extended period of first writing, then finally road-testing material across a series of tours before finally stepping into the studio to record what would become TajMo in 2016 — nearly two years after Keb' Mo' and Taj Mahal sat down for their first conversations about a prospective collaboration.

In sharing his initial reaction to the nomination news with GRAMMY.com, Keb' Mo' reveals the first person he told was Taj Mahal himself, joking, "That would be the appropriate person to call first."

Keb' Mo' was also quick to praise the "assiduous" work of his entire team in crafting the record, making sure to include a shout out for his engineer Zach Allen for his tireless efforts in bringing the album to fruition.

With the four-year project finally in the rearview, and facing the prospect of participating in an exciting new GRAMMY memory, Keb' Mo' was also able to reflect on the GRAMMY moment that he feels was the most personally inspiring.

"My Favorite GRAMMY moment … was when Bonnie Raitt won four GRAMMYs," he says. "That was one of my favorite moment. … When a great artist was recognized and lifted to where they were supposed to be."

Little Big Town On Latest GRAMMY Nomination

The GRAMMY-winning country band react to their latest GRAMMY nomination

Brian Haack

GRAMMYs

Jan 27, 2018 - 2:28 pm

GRAMMY-winning country act Little Big Town — comprised of Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet — have scored an impressive 11 career GRAMMY nominations, with two wins so far. That total includes two brand new nominations for this year, where they stand in contention for Best Country Duo/Group Performance ("Better Man") and Best Country Album (Breaker).

Jan 27, 2018 – 2:27 pm

Little Big Town: Meet The Nominees | 60th GRAMMYs

Though they're now old hats at getting nominated, learning about regocnition from the GRAMMYs doesn't get old for the group.

"We try not to think about it too much, because it feels so good when you get nominated," gushes Fairchild. "And it feels so bad when you don't!" adds Schlapman jokingly.

Little Big Town is also on the official lineup of performers for Music's Biggest Night, and Schlapman and Fairchild were excited to note that means at least three (or even more) outfit changes throughout the night.

Common Kings Found Out About GRAMMY Nomination In A "Haunted" Hotel

Hear how the first-time GRAMMY nominees found out about their nomination, where they'll keep their award if they win and more

Brian Haack

GRAMMYs

Jan 26, 2018 - 8:39 pm

The members of reggae band Common Kings — Grey Taumata, Lui Kirimaua, Sasualei "JR King" Maliga, and Jerome Taito — hail from a variety of birthplaces across the South Pacific, and in their youths were united geographically by growing up in Southern California's Orange county. This year, their debut album, Lost In Paradise, has earned the band its first-ever career GRAMMY nomination for Best Reggae Album, and the quartet couldn't be more excited.

Jan 26, 2018 – 8:39 pm

Meet The Nominees: Common Kings | 60th GRAMMYs

"We got a call at 5:30 in the morning. I made the biggest noise, I ran up the stairs," explains bassist Kirimaua of the moment they found out about the nomination. "I clearly did not respect the sleep of anybody else in that hotel," he jokes. (The band was out on tour at the time in support of Matisyahu.)

When questioned about the album that earned them their first nomination, the Common Kings sung the praises of superstar producer Poo Bear, who took an interest in their sound and helped guide the record across the finish line.

"There's a lotta love and a lotta heart that went into that project," Kirimaua explains. "We spent some late, late nights. … [Poo Bear and his team the Audibles] didn't have to do that, but they did."

On the subject of where they might keep their GRAMMY statuettes should they win, the band members have some different ideas. Kirimaua and lead singer Maliga both seem content to keep their awards on their pillows next to their heads while they sleep — "on a golden pillow," King interjects.

Latroit Recounts His "Utter Disbelief" At First GRAMMY Nomination

Producer/remixer Latroit shares his reaction to his first career GRAMMY nomination

Brian Haack

GRAMMYs

Jan 25, 2018 - 7:40 pm

"It's humbling, and quite flattering," says first-time GRAMMY nominee Latroit – aka Dennis White – about his nomination for Best Remixed Recording at the 60th GRAMMY Awards. "I think ... that it's important to acknowledge that my nomination is as much a nomination for Depeche Mode as it is for me. I was just the guy lucky enough to get their parts to remix."

Jan 25, 2018 – 7:40 pm

Latroit: Meet The Nominee | 60th GRAMMY Awards

Already an established producer/DJ under the moniker Static Revenger, with industry-acclaimed dance hits such as "I Like That" and "Happy People," White says his approach to producing and arranging his GRAMMY-nominated remix of "You Move," originally by Depeche Mode, was very much business as usual.

"It felt like my job was to represent the essence of the band," he explains. "I'm a huge Depeche Mode fan, so that was easy for me. … Those guys are in my DNA."

Upon wrapping the studio session working on "You Move," White was rightfully proud of his work. But when asked whether he ever thought the track would earn him a GRAMMY nomination, he replies seriously, "I had no idea."

"The beauty of dance music is that the music does all the talking," says White when questioned about how the nomination speaks to the state of his genre. "It doesn't matter who you are or what you're doing, a track either works on the dance floor or it doesn't. … It's very pure [and] I think this is apropos of that."

2018 GRAMMYs: Body Count, India.Arie To Perform At Premiere Ceremony

Each year, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony kicks off Music's Biggest Night by recognizing GRAMMY winners in more than 70 categories, complete with outstanding performances. We now have all the exciting details on the 2018 installment of the annual event.

May 15, 2017 – 1:50 am

Watch Spike Lee's Star-Studded 'NY Stories' Film

This year's Premiere Ceremony will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Jan. 28, preceding the 60th GRAMMY Awards telecast. Singer, composer and instrumentalist Paul Shaffer will host the ceremony and will serve as musical director while his World's Most Dangerous Band will serve as the house band.

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